SSID Broadcast driving me crazy.......

Aiadi

I am 100% confident that my SSID broadcasting is disabled on my wireless router. I have also checked that I am not dementing (don't ask how). My laptop can't see the SSID when I do a site survey which is to be expected but NetStumbler can still see the SSID which I know is not normal. What am I missing here ??????????????????????

wolfman

Turning of your SSID broadcast is by no means a form of security it's just an extra precaution.

SSID's can easily be found with scanners such as Kismet, and as you mentioned NetStumbler. I wouldn't worry about it, it does sound like you have it disabled.

Basically stops you acting like a beacon saying "here's my network", but if someone wants to find your SSID they can do.

albertross_2

If your delete your saved wireless network settings from your PC (for your router), then if the ssid is really disabled, it shouldn't appear in the available to windows list, or the netstumbler list. As far as I know, netstumbler doesn't pickup networks who's SSID isn't broadcast, unless you tell your PC about it first. Get a friend round, and try netstumbler on that, it shouldn't show it..

Kismet (Linux) however will be able to pick it up..

Aiadi

Thanks wolfman and albertross. Albertross, could you please explain to me what you mean by "unless you tell your PC about it first". Thank you again guys.

albertross_2

If you have a new pc, that has never connected to your router, and you switch it on in your house - If the ssid is not broadcasting, then Windows shouldn't pick it up. The only way to connect is to manually tell it what your ssid is, then connect and enter your WPA key if it is set.

You've already done this to your PC, so all that info is now in your registry, so unless/until you delete your wireless connection info , under advanced options, then your PC will always know about your SSID..

An easier way to test this, is login to your router, and change the SSID, and click apply.. Netstumbler and windows should no longer pick it up..

To put it back, login again with a wired connection, and put it back

Dognose

ADSL enabled today, does that mean every telephone jack point is also ADSL enabled.

Aiadi

Dognose wrote:

ADSL enabled today, does that mean every telephone jack point is also ADSL enabled.

I would think so provided they are for the same phone line and as long as you use an ADSL filter on each one you want to use for this purpose.

Chippy_Minton

Dognose wrote:

ADSL enabled today, does that mean every telephone jack point is also ADSL enabled.

Yes.

Aiadi - you need an ADSL filter on every telephone jack point (including Sky digibox if you have Sky), even the ones you're not using for your ADSL connection.

nickmack

Chippy_Minton wrote:

Yes.

Aiadi - you need an ADSL filter on every telephone jack point (including Sky digibox if you have Sky), even the ones you're not using for your ADSL connection.

If you are out of your 12 month intitial contract with Sky, I strongly suggest you unplug your Sky box from the phone line. It can cause problems with Broadband connections, despite denials to the contrary. If you have it plugged in and get dropped connections, it should be one of the first things you unplug.